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Civil servants vote for walkout Civil servants vote for walkout
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of civil servants have voted to strike in a long-running dispute over job cuts, privatisation and pay.Thousands of civil servants have voted to strike in a long-running dispute over job cuts, privatisation and pay.
The Public and Commercial Services Union said a 24-hour walkout would be held on 31 January, involving staff in more than 200 government departments. Public and Commercial Services Union members will hold a 24-hour walkout on 31 January. Staff in 200 government departments are expected to take part.
Job Centres, benefit offices, courts, driving examinations and many other services will be hit by the stoppage.Job Centres, benefit offices, courts, driving examinations and many other services will be hit by the stoppage.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said there was no need for strike action by PCS members.Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said there was no need for strike action by PCS members.
"The government values the civil service highly. If PCS members have concerns about job losses or pay there is an established industrial relations process to discuss these issues," he said."The government values the civil service highly. If PCS members have concerns about job losses or pay there is an established industrial relations process to discuss these issues," he said.
The union said there would be further industrial action, including overtime bans, in the run-up to the local elections in May. 'Second wave'
General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We are already planning a second wave of action, which will not be a traditional one-day strike." The PCS union predicts that more than 200,000 civil workers will go on strike, affecting services such as the processing of millions of tax returns, filed at the last minute to avoid a £100 fine.
Majority back strike It added there would be "a second wave" of industrial action, including overtime bans, in the run-up to the local elections in May.
About 280,000 members of the union were balloted about whether they supported action proposed by the union. About 280,000 members were balloted on the strike. Of those who replied 61,488 voted in favour and 38,823 voting against - a majority of almost 62%.
Of those, 61,488 voted in favour of strikes with 38,823 voting against, a majority of almost 62%.
Mr Serwotka said the size of the majority demonstrated the anger at the way civil and public servants were being treated.
The result demonstrates the strength of feeling and anger among the very people we rely on to deliver public services John McDonnellLabour MPThe result demonstrates the strength of feeling and anger among the very people we rely on to deliver public services John McDonnellLabour MP
The union predicted that more than 200,000 civil workers would strike, with pickets mounted at government and public offices across the UK. General secretary Mark Serwotka said the size of the majority demonstrated the anger at the way civil and public servants were being treated.
This would match the last national strike by civil servants - in 2004. The union wants to ensure there are no compulsory redundancies as well as an assurance that pay, employment and other conditions will not be affected when civil servants are transferred to private firms.
The union said it would affect the processing of millions of tax returns, filed at the last minute to avoid a £100 fine.
The strike will be followed by a two-week ban on overtime.
The union is taking the action in a bid to ensure there are no compulsory redundancies. It also wants an assurance that pay, employment and other conditions will not be affected when civil servants are transferred to private firms.
It also wants pay levels increased after complaining that one in four civil servants earns less than £15,000 a year.It also wants pay levels increased after complaining that one in four civil servants earns less than £15,000 a year.
'No guarantees''No guarantees'
In 2004 the government-commissioned Gershon Report recommended significant cuts in public sector bureaucracy - including cutting tens of thousands of civil service jobs.
Mr McFadden said the PCS was the only civil service union to ballot for strike action.Mr McFadden said the PCS was the only civil service union to ballot for strike action.
"We will do everything we can to avoid compulsory redundancies but cannot give guarantees it will never happen throughout the efficiency savings (Gershon) process.""We will do everything we can to avoid compulsory redundancies but cannot give guarantees it will never happen throughout the efficiency savings (Gershon) process."
Mr Hain is bidding to be deputy leader
Labour MP John McDonnell, who has said he wants to be the next Labour leader, has urged the prime minister and chancellor to intervene.Labour MP John McDonnell, who has said he wants to be the next Labour leader, has urged the prime minister and chancellor to intervene.
"I urge the government to respond immediately to this ballot result and begin constructive negotiations to resolve the dispute," he said. "The result demonstrates the strength of feeling and anger among the very people we rely on to deliver public services," he said.
"The result demonstrates the strength of feeling and anger among the very people we rely on to deliver public services." Secretary of state for Northern Ireland and for Wales - and a deputy Labour leadership hopeful - Peter Hain, said there was a need for a better relationship between unions and Labour Party leaders.
'Not caving in'
"I think it's fallen into disrepair in recent years, but this is not about caving in to any old demand or about a return to the happy-go-lucky attitude to strikes. It's about a better partnership," he said.
Some commentators believe the unions are in a strong position to get more concessions out of the government, as the new prime minister will need their financial support in the wake of the cash-for-honours investigation.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber told the BBC he wanted to see a change when Tony Blair steps down.
"We want to see an approach that brings the workforce together with people managing our public services to deliver real improvements rather than have change forced through."
But Mr Barber said the relationship was not one "where the unions are trying to squeeze concessions on the basis of trying to bully the leadership of the Labour Party".